People v. Shoultz

Following a jury trial, defendant, Tony E. Shoultz, was convicted of first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9—1(a)(1) (West 1994)) and intentional homicide of an unborn child (feticide) (720 ILCS 5/9—1.2 (West 1994)) and sentenced to natural life imprisonment. Defendant appeals, alleging (1) the feticide statute violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution because it imposes greater penalties than does the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975 (Abortion Law) (720 ILCS 510/1 et seq. (West 1994)); (2) evidence he had been told the victim was pregnant was improperly admitted…